Hertfordshire is home to several leading research institutions and space and defence companies that are at the forefront of space exploration and climate science.
The county is home to a leading observatory that last week captured the Northern Lights in all its glory over the skies of Hertfordshire.
Hertfordshire is also home to satellite industry Airbus in Stevenage.
Herts County Council joined the global celebration of World Space Week 2024 from October 4-10, spotlighting the county’s flourishing space sector that is at the heart of the UK’s space industry – valued at £18.9 billion.
Councillor Stephen Boulton, executive member for sustainable economic growth at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “In Hertfordshire we are proud to host such revolutionary institutions and organisations that work towards innovating the space industry in the UK.
"From the University of Hertfordshire, which nurtures the next generation of scientists that are making ground-breaking discoveries, to Airbus which not only innovates in space exploration but is also committed to working with Hertfordshire schools to enrich further the learning experience of pupils.
"Not forgetting the work of the county council’s expert officers who use this technology to aid flood resilience and highly efficient land management for the benefit of residents and communities.”
Here's a closer look at Bayfordbury Observatory, Airbus and Hertfordshire Futures.
The University of Hertfordshire and the Bayfordbury Observatory
Last month, as part of its graduation celebrations, the university honoured Dr Nicola J Fox, associate administrator at NASA and one of the foremost scientists in the world, with an Honorary Doctorate in Science.
Nicola is the de facto head of the famous space agency, overseeing its considerable $7.8 billion portfolio of space missions.
The east of the county is home to the university’s Bayfordbury Observatory, one of the largest and best-equipped teaching observatories in the UK.
Located in the countryside near Hertford, it offers a range of facilities for both astronomical and atmospheric physics research.
Key features include seven large optical telescopes with some that are operated robotically, four radio telescopes, a high-definition indoor planetarium, and two inflatable planetariums.
It is also equipped with remote sensing instruments for atmospheric research.
Recent discoveries by researchers at the Bayfordbury Observatory include an unusual pair of 10-billion-year-old stars, formed when the Milky Way was young.
‘Hidden’ stars, including a new type of elderly giant nicknamed an ‘old smoker,’ were spotted for the first time by a University of Hertfordshire-led team of astronomers.
Airbus
It is responsible for a third of the world’s geostationary satellites – with manufacture starting in our county.
Airbus’ Stevenage site is responsible for building the Aeolus satellite. Aeolus was the first satellite to measure Earth’s wind profiles on a global scale, from the ground up to the stratosphere.
This data has been crucial for improving weather forecasting, climate research, and understanding atmospheric dynamics.
Last month Stevenage MP Kevin Bonavia hosted an event in Westminster to meet with companies from the Airbus UK Space Accelerator programme, delivered under its Community for Space Prosperity (CUSP) initiative.
CUSP has also empowered schools like The Sele School in Hertford by providing a ‘We Build It Better’ toolbox that allows Year 8 and 9 pupils to construct their very own aeroplane and learn more about the science and engineering that goes into each stage of the build.
The success of this programme has been monitored through an impact report that shows persistent absences fall to 0%, a rise in the uptake of triple science GCSE to 60 per cent and a significant increase in girls taking up triple science at 50 per cent.
Airbus innovations
Airbus in Stevenage plays a crucial role in the development of Mars rovers. It is responsible for building the ExoMars rover, named Rosalind Franklin.
This rover is designed to search for signs of past or present life on Mars and is equipped with a drill that can take samples from up to two metres below the surface.
Additionally, its Stevenage site has a Mars Yard, a simulated Martian environment used to test the rover’s capabilities and autonomous navigation systems.
Airbus is also involved in the Mars Sample Return mission, which aims to bring Martian soil samples back to Earth.
Hertfordshire County Council
With so much space research and technology happening in Hertfordshire, it’s no surprise that Hertfordshire County Council utilises satellite and LiDAR technology in many of its services that support residents and the county’s resilience against climate change.
The council’s Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) teams make extensive use of aerial and satellite photography in planning and delivering land management activity.
In addition, the team regularly use LiDAR – Light Detection and Ranging – and derived data sets to identify characteristics within the landscape, like overland water flow patterns, to make decisions on land management and mitigate risk.
Hertfordshire Futures
Hertfordshire Futures sector specialists work closely with industry and the Department for Business and Trade to drive investment and innovation, accelerating employment and training opportunities.
The STEM Discovery Centre received £1m funding from Hertfordshire Futures, in a joint partnership with Airbus and North Herts College. It was opened by British ESA astronaut Tim Peake in 2017, and has welcomed thousands of young people to find out more about careers in space and STEM.
Paul Witcombe, advanced manufacturing and life sciences lead at Hertfordshire Futures, said: "Hertfordshire is truly at the forefront of space exploration, from leading the search for life on Mars to developing the wind-sensing satellite Aeolus at Airbus in Stevenage.
"Hertfordshire Futures has also invested in educational programmes to inspire the next generation of scientists, such as the STEM Discovery Centre, developed in partnership with North Herts College and Airbus.
“Hertfordshire is uniquely positioned to drive growth, not just in space, but across a convergence of globally leading sectors. This includes advancements in health, the built environment, and cutting-edge technology.
"The Invest Hertfordshire service leverages our world-renowned reputation to attract further investment, ensuring Hertfordshire remains at the forefront of innovation.”
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